Yan Yao and Ye Zhang, two researchers from the University of Houston are developing a much greener alternative to lithium batteries. These are solid sodium batteries incorporating sulfide glass electrolytes.

In the era of electrification, rechargeable batteries are now an integral part of our daily lives. They are found in smartphones as well as in computers and in recent years, electric vehicles. And it must be said that the explosion in the production of rechargeable batteries now makes it possible to gradually move away from fossil fuels. And especially oil.

A viable alternative to lithium batteries.

On the other hand, all rechargeable batteries have a common component lithium-ion (Li-ion). A chemical element that, although it has undeniable advantages, is also not very planet-friendly. In fact, the production of lithium is particularly water-intensive (about 2.2 million liters of water per ton).

Not to mention that the supply chain problems linked to the Covid-19 crisis, the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and the increase in demand from companies which make lithium increasingly difficult to obtain. And contributes to the increase in its price. Thus, lithium is now considered relatively expensive for long-term grid-scale energy storage systems.

With all of this in mind, it’s safe to say that the transition to cleaner energy becomes more urgent. And this is the whole point of the electrolyte-based solid sodium battery technology obtained through the use of a high-energy bead grinding process.

• The advantages of solid sodium batteries

In addition to being inexpensive and easy to manufacture, solid sodium batteries have exceptional mechanical and chemical stability.

Additionally, the distinct fully homogeneous oxysulfide glass microstructure provides a self-passivating interphase. This is necessary for reversible sodium plating and etching. This allows solid sodium batteries to offer high performance at room temperature and high energy density. And this while guaranteeing a long service life.

From an ecological point of view, solid sodium batteries do not consume any scarce resources. Especially since its production does not require lithium salt. A particularly expensive item.